I am running for Catawba County School Board to ensure EVERY child in the school system receives the equitable, quality, free public education that is guaranteed in the state constitution. Every kid deserves the same opportunities regardless of location within the county, economic status, race, gender, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity. My campaign is built around three priorities: safe and supportive schools, strong and honest academics, and partnership and transparency.

 

Safe, Supportive Schools: Our students, teachers and staff should be given the necessary resources they need to provide safe, supportive schools. Special focus should be on ensuring students have access to basic necessities, including school supplies and mental health services.

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Strong, Honest Academics: The curriculum should be accurate and student-centered, fostering critical thinking skills in an environment conductive to allowing students to develop into the healthy, productive adults God designed them to be. Focus should be placed on ensuring students are adequately prepared for the next phase of their lives, whether they choose a higher education or career and technical route. CTE programs should be uniform across the school system.

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Partnership and Transparency: Partnership and transparency are vital to providing educational opportunities.  Parents, as our first teachers, are critical partners to the education process. Teachers and staff are professionals who are entrusted with the care of the students. We should have open communications with all education stakeholders to ensure opportunities are focused on what is best for the students. Students should be involved in decisions affecting their education, especially in higher grade levels as they develop on an individual basis.

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I am also concerned with a few topics affecting our school system today.

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School Vouchers: School vouchers take away crucial resources from our public schools and funnel tax dollars into private institutions that do not have to meet the same academic standards and can exclude students based on criteria inconsistent with the public-school mandate in the state constitution.

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Indoctrination: Also, any structure or program within the school system should be focused on the educational benefits to the students and not espouse any political or religious ideology. Religious and political values and points of view should be left up to the parents and students themselves, although civic engagement should be explored and encouraged in public schools. Curriculum should present varying points of view so the students can properly develop critical thinking skills in forming their own opinions and values.

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I believe in our children, I believe in our educators, and I believe in the future of Catawba County. Every child. Every classroom. Every opportunity.